Katie Couric’s upcoming memoir has made waves for shocking excerpts that have ruffled feathers in TV news circles.
Now, in her first interview about the new book, Couric gives more detail on some of the headline-making pieces — most notably, her former “Today” show co-anchor, Matt Lauer — saying that her words have been “cherry-picked and twisted” by leaked excerpts.
Couric no longer speaks to Lauer, she reveals in a new cover story with People magazine, released on Wednesday. She says she was “shocked” by the allegations, calling Lauer’s behavior “callous” and “grossly inappropriate.”
That’s not the Matt I knew,” Couric tells the magazine. “There’s a duality in human beings, and sometimes they don’t let you see both sides.”
Couric’s book says that after learning about Lauer’s behavior, she came to realize that he was a professional partner and friend to her, but a predator to others.
Now, in her first interview about the new book, Couric gives more detail on some of the headline-making pieces — most notably, her former “Today” show co-anchor, Matt Lauer — saying that her words have been “cherry-picked and twisted” by leaked excerpts.
Couric no longer speaks to Lauer, she reveals in a new cover story with People magazine, released on Wednesday. She says she was “shocked” by the allegations, calling Lauer’s behavior “callous” and “grossly inappropriate.”
That’s not the Matt I knew,” Couric tells the magazine. “There’s a duality in human beings, and sometimes they don’t let you see both sides.”
Couric’s book says that after learning about Lauer’s behavior, she came to realize that he was a professional partner and friend to her, but a predator to others.
- 10/13/2021
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
After putting us inside what felt like the fallout of the Matt Lauer-Brooke Nevils Today Show sex scandal, AppleTV’s The Morning Show leaves us off on an interesting note: Amid Alex Levy’s (Jennifer Aniston) meltdown on-air, her co-anchor Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) reports on a cruise liner which is being held at bay with a virus onboard.
That finale episode “The Interview” had landed director Mimi Leder her tenth career Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series category.
Praising her fellow EP Kerry Ehrin’s brilliant gift of foresight and being able to predict events, Leder says “We looked at that, and said, Wtf? She’s a witch.”
As such, in season 2 of The Morning Show “the writing will reflect the world we’re living in”, adds Leder without spilling too many details.
Ehrin swears that the The Today Show scandal had no...
That finale episode “The Interview” had landed director Mimi Leder her tenth career Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series category.
Praising her fellow EP Kerry Ehrin’s brilliant gift of foresight and being able to predict events, Leder says “We looked at that, and said, Wtf? She’s a witch.”
As such, in season 2 of The Morning Show “the writing will reflect the world we’re living in”, adds Leder without spilling too many details.
Ehrin swears that the The Today Show scandal had no...
- 8/24/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Matt Lauer has penned a lengthy op-ed, venting his thoughts about Ronan Farrow’s reporting and, once again, denying that he raped Brooke Nevils, the former NBC employee who said she was raped by Lauer in Farrow’s best-selling book, “Catch and Kill.”
Writing a piece for Mediaite, in which Lauer goes into meticulous detail, fact-checking Farrow’s book himself, the former “Today” show host says Farrow was “hardly an unbiased journalist” whenever he reported on NBC, calling his stories “salacious” and accusing him of using his reporting to promote his book, which went on to become a New York Times best-seller.
“What I found when I read the book was frankly shocking, and it should concern anyone who cares about journalism. This is not just about accusations against the former host of the ‘Today’ show,” Lauer writes. “It’s about whether changing social attitudes can be allowed to change...
Writing a piece for Mediaite, in which Lauer goes into meticulous detail, fact-checking Farrow’s book himself, the former “Today” show host says Farrow was “hardly an unbiased journalist” whenever he reported on NBC, calling his stories “salacious” and accusing him of using his reporting to promote his book, which went on to become a New York Times best-seller.
“What I found when I read the book was frankly shocking, and it should concern anyone who cares about journalism. This is not just about accusations against the former host of the ‘Today’ show,” Lauer writes. “It’s about whether changing social attitudes can be allowed to change...
- 5/19/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Former Today co-host Matt Lauer published a lengthy op-ed in Mediaite on Tuesday that blasts Ronan Farrow’s reporting for his book Catch and Kill, in which he writes about a former Today producer’s claim that Lauer raped her.
In his op-ed, Lauer cites specific instances in Catch and Kill where he contends that Farrow failed to talk to people who offered contradictory information to Brooke Nevils’ claims.
His op-ed also comes in the wake of a column by the New York Times‘ Ben Smith that criticized aspects of Farrow’s reporting.
Lauer wrote: “I believe Ronan knew his work on Catch and Kill would receive little in the way of scrutiny, from the very beginning. It’s the only way to explain why he was so willing to abandon common sense and true fact checking in favor of salacious, and deeply flawed, material. I also believe that some...
In his op-ed, Lauer cites specific instances in Catch and Kill where he contends that Farrow failed to talk to people who offered contradictory information to Brooke Nevils’ claims.
His op-ed also comes in the wake of a column by the New York Times‘ Ben Smith that criticized aspects of Farrow’s reporting.
Lauer wrote: “I believe Ronan knew his work on Catch and Kill would receive little in the way of scrutiny, from the very beginning. It’s the only way to explain why he was so willing to abandon common sense and true fact checking in favor of salacious, and deeply flawed, material. I also believe that some...
- 5/19/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
There is clearly no love lost between Matt Lauer and Ronan Farrow. The disgraced Today Show host makes it clear that he disagrees with Farrow's reporting in the best-selling book Catch and Kill. Specifically, Lauer writes in an op-ed for Mediaite that he's "disappointed but not surprised" in the perceived lack of scrutiny of Farrow's book. For those who haven't read Catch and Kill, Farrow writes about how he uncovered Harvey Weinstein's alleged numerous crimes and touches on Brooke Nevils allegations that led to Matt Lauer being fired from NBC News for "inappropriate sexual behavior" in Nov....
- 5/19/2020
- E! Online
Harvey Weinstein once waltzed into every room in Hollywood as the king of the movie business. Now, he’s shuffling into New York City criminal court with a walker, facing life in prison for five sex crimes charges, including rape.
Looking back at Hollywood history, has there ever been a case quite like this?
Weinstein’s trial stands on its own, according to veteran journalist Ken Auletta, who first profiled the fallen movie mogul nearly two decades ago.
“If you go back in movie history there are untold examples of abusive behavior by studio heads — the casting couch, which is the phrase that Harvey used — and there was a casting couch, and young starlets succumbed, in exchange for roles in movies,” Auletta said. “But very rare was the incidents of these studio heads actually raping a woman and doing some of the things that Harvey Weinstein is accused of doing.
Looking back at Hollywood history, has there ever been a case quite like this?
Weinstein’s trial stands on its own, according to veteran journalist Ken Auletta, who first profiled the fallen movie mogul nearly two decades ago.
“If you go back in movie history there are untold examples of abusive behavior by studio heads — the casting couch, which is the phrase that Harvey used — and there was a casting couch, and young starlets succumbed, in exchange for roles in movies,” Auletta said. “But very rare was the incidents of these studio heads actually raping a woman and doing some of the things that Harvey Weinstein is accused of doing.
- 1/14/2020
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
A group of approximately 150 editorial workers who help produce some of NBC News digital content have formed a union, citing a desire to push their employer to work more seriously through such issues as equal pay and the recent handling of sensitive stories.
Editorial employees of NBC News Digital won certification of their union after a vote count at the National Labor Relations Board in Manhattan Friday afternoon, with a vote for forming a bargaining unit prevailing 90 to 40, according to the NewsGuild of New York, which will represent the staffers. The group includes reporters, video journalists, editors, social media strategists, designers, and editorial staff from NBC News outlets such as NBCNews.com, Today.,com, the Snapchat program “Stay Tuned,” MSNBC.com and NBC News Now, the company’s recently launched streaming-video outlet. The NewsGuild said NBC management challenged the eligibility of nearly 20 editorial employees to vote in the election.
“I...
Editorial employees of NBC News Digital won certification of their union after a vote count at the National Labor Relations Board in Manhattan Friday afternoon, with a vote for forming a bargaining unit prevailing 90 to 40, according to the NewsGuild of New York, which will represent the staffers. The group includes reporters, video journalists, editors, social media strategists, designers, and editorial staff from NBC News outlets such as NBCNews.com, Today.,com, the Snapchat program “Stay Tuned,” MSNBC.com and NBC News Now, the company’s recently launched streaming-video outlet. The NewsGuild said NBC management challenged the eligibility of nearly 20 editorial employees to vote in the election.
“I...
- 12/13/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
A group of digital journalists at NBC News have asked the company to recognize their efforts to unionize, the latest sign of strife at the NBCUniversal operation to break out as it grapples with accusations of how it has handled recent employee matters over the past two years.
“There have been several different situations at NBC that have given us a pretty clear reason to fight for a protected voice in the newsroom,” said Tate James, a video editor who works on “Stay Tuned,” a video program NBC News has devised for streaming via the Snapchat social-media outlet. Among the policies desired by the approximately 150 employees who would take part in the collective-bargaining unit are better defined severance packages, rules about discussing matters via social media and salary distinctions, said James.
“We will address this request quickly, and will keep you updated every step of the way,” said Chris Berend,...
“There have been several different situations at NBC that have given us a pretty clear reason to fight for a protected voice in the newsroom,” said Tate James, a video editor who works on “Stay Tuned,” a video program NBC News has devised for streaming via the Snapchat social-media outlet. Among the policies desired by the approximately 150 employees who would take part in the collective-bargaining unit are better defined severance packages, rules about discussing matters via social media and salary distinctions, said James.
“We will address this request quickly, and will keep you updated every step of the way,” said Chris Berend,...
- 10/30/2019
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow unloaded on NBC News executives Friday about the organization’s handling of Ronan Farrow’s reporting on disgraced Hollywood bigwig Harvey Weinstein, and later, its handling of allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against ousted Today show anchor Matt Lauer.
In a 16-minute monologue that preceded an interview with Farrow, himself a former NBC News employee, Maddow openly questioned why higher-ups at her parent company did not invite an external firm to investigate the Weinstein debacle or claims that Lauer exhibited inappropriate workplace behavior.
More from TVLineMatt Lauer Rape Accuser Brooke Nevils Calls 1,400-Word Denial a 'Case...
In a 16-minute monologue that preceded an interview with Farrow, himself a former NBC News employee, Maddow openly questioned why higher-ups at her parent company did not invite an external firm to investigate the Weinstein debacle or claims that Lauer exhibited inappropriate workplace behavior.
More from TVLineMatt Lauer Rape Accuser Brooke Nevils Calls 1,400-Word Denial a 'Case...
- 10/26/2019
- TVLine.com
Let’s talk about the whacked-out letters that hit the media sphere in the past eight days.
One was that bizarre mea culpa dropped Oct. 17 by the no-holds-barred showrunner Kurt Sutter in response to getting canned from his series “Mayans Mc.” No stranger to complaints of unprofessional behavior on his sets over the years, Sutter acknowledges in his letter to the cast and crew of the “Sons of Anarchy” spinoff that “at least being fired for being an abrasive dick is on brand,” further admitting that his “arrogance and chronic distraction has created wreckage.”
While Sutter’s offensive conduct is inexcusable, and one can only hope he’s finally working on improving his on-set M.O., at least he’s publicly owning up to it — as he has in the past.
Then there was Matt Lauer’s Oct. 9 open letter in which he staunchly denies allegations by former NBC News...
One was that bizarre mea culpa dropped Oct. 17 by the no-holds-barred showrunner Kurt Sutter in response to getting canned from his series “Mayans Mc.” No stranger to complaints of unprofessional behavior on his sets over the years, Sutter acknowledges in his letter to the cast and crew of the “Sons of Anarchy” spinoff that “at least being fired for being an abrasive dick is on brand,” further admitting that his “arrogance and chronic distraction has created wreckage.”
While Sutter’s offensive conduct is inexcusable, and one can only hope he’s finally working on improving his on-set M.O., at least he’s publicly owning up to it — as he has in the past.
Then there was Matt Lauer’s Oct. 9 open letter in which he staunchly denies allegations by former NBC News...
- 10/22/2019
- by Claudia Eller
- Variety Film + TV
An all-star collection of news anchors is now awaiting a response from NBCUniversal parent Comcast to its demand for an outside investigation into NBC News.
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of MeToo journalist organization Press Forward, have sent a letter to Comcast asking for an external investigation of NBC News. The letter is in response to recent revelations in the Ronan Farrow book Catch and Kill, which painted a sordid picture of sexual harassment at the news division.
Comcast has yet to respond publicly to the letter, which was sent Thursday night and addressed to Comcast CEO/chairman Brian Roberts and the company board of directors.
NBC News has denied knowing about allegations revolving around former Today Show host Matt Lauer and others who allegedly covered up his activities while under NBC News employ. Chief among the allegations was...
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of MeToo journalist organization Press Forward, have sent a letter to Comcast asking for an external investigation of NBC News. The letter is in response to recent revelations in the Ronan Farrow book Catch and Kill, which painted a sordid picture of sexual harassment at the news division.
Comcast has yet to respond publicly to the letter, which was sent Thursday night and addressed to Comcast CEO/chairman Brian Roberts and the company board of directors.
NBC News has denied knowing about allegations revolving around former Today Show host Matt Lauer and others who allegedly covered up his activities while under NBC News employ. Chief among the allegations was...
- 10/19/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of prominent women, all at the forefront of the Me Too movement, wrote a letter to Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, urging an external investigation of NBC News.
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of Press Forward, have all signed the letter addressed to Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and the company’s board of directors. Press Forward is an organization launched by journalists in the wake of the Me Too movement in 2017 to stop sexual harassment and create safer environments for women in newsrooms.
Since Matt Lauer’s firing, multiple news organizations, including Variety, have broken news about NBC News, which has denied having prior knowledge of Lauer’s misconduct before his swift termination in November 2017. Following the release of Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill,” which revealed an on-the-record rape allegation from former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils,...
Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Greta Van Susteren, Linda Vester, Addie Zinone and Eleanor McManus, the founder of Press Forward, have all signed the letter addressed to Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and the company’s board of directors. Press Forward is an organization launched by journalists in the wake of the Me Too movement in 2017 to stop sexual harassment and create safer environments for women in newsrooms.
Since Matt Lauer’s firing, multiple news organizations, including Variety, have broken news about NBC News, which has denied having prior knowledge of Lauer’s misconduct before his swift termination in November 2017. Following the release of Ronan Farrow’s book, “Catch and Kill,” which revealed an on-the-record rape allegation from former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils,...
- 10/18/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
That Harvey Weinstein, the alleged sexual predator Ronan Farrow was investigating, had something in common with his father, Woody Allen, was something Farrow always knew. Defending his sister Dylan Farrow, who has said since she was 7 that Allen sexually abused her, has been “weaponized against me since the moment I started talking about it,” Farrow told Variety.
So it was no surprise to him to learn that in October 2017, as Weinstein panicked — knowing that both Farrow and the New York Times were close to publishing stories designed to expose him — the studio mogul put in a call to Allen to ask him, “How did you deal with this?”
The details of the call — “Jeez, I’m so sorry. Good luck,” Allen tells Weinstein unhelpfully — among many other things, are all laid out in Farrow’s explosive book, “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators,” published this week.
So it was no surprise to him to learn that in October 2017, as Weinstein panicked — knowing that both Farrow and the New York Times were close to publishing stories designed to expose him — the studio mogul put in a call to Allen to ask him, “How did you deal with this?”
The details of the call — “Jeez, I’m so sorry. Good luck,” Allen tells Weinstein unhelpfully — among many other things, are all laid out in Farrow’s explosive book, “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators,” published this week.
- 10/17/2019
- by Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
UltraViolet Action, the women’s activist organization, is calling on the Democratic National Committee to drop MSNBC as the next debate sponsor unless Comcast takes steps to “clean house” at NBC News in light of claims made in Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill.
In a letter to the DNC, UltraViolet Action co-founder Shaunna Thomas wrote that “the DNC needs to make it clear that they support survivors of sexual abuse and cancel the upcoming 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate on MSNBC until Comcast and NBC News take clear steps to clean up the toxic culture that exists across their networks.”
The DNC had no immediate comment. A spokesperson for NBC News did not immediately return a request for comment.
Along with the Washington Post, MSNBC is scheduled to co-sponsor the next Democratic debate on November 20, to be held in Georgia. NBC News, Telemundo and MSNBC co-sponsored the first...
In a letter to the DNC, UltraViolet Action co-founder Shaunna Thomas wrote that “the DNC needs to make it clear that they support survivors of sexual abuse and cancel the upcoming 2020 Democratic presidential primary debate on MSNBC until Comcast and NBC News take clear steps to clean up the toxic culture that exists across their networks.”
The DNC had no immediate comment. A spokesperson for NBC News did not immediately return a request for comment.
Along with the Washington Post, MSNBC is scheduled to co-sponsor the next Democratic debate on November 20, to be held in Georgia. NBC News, Telemundo and MSNBC co-sponsored the first...
- 10/16/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Ronan Farrow responded to Matt Lauer’s letter in defense of rape accusations, for the first time, on Tuesday night at the very first stop for his “Catch and Kill” book tour.
“I think the most compelling response is Brooke Nevils’ and her own letter that she published afterwords,” Farrow said, when asked to comment on Lauer’s open letter in which he aggressively denied a rape allegation by the former NBC News employee last week. In Nevils’ response, she slammed the former newsman for “victim blaming,” stating, “the shame in this story belongs to him.”
At the Tuesday night event, Farrow said, “I think that while I’m a reporter and not an activist, and I’m not going to talk about personal feelings of Matt Lauer’s PR, and I’ll deal with the facts, I understand the rational basis for Brooke Nevils saying that this is a shameless and menacing tone.
“I think the most compelling response is Brooke Nevils’ and her own letter that she published afterwords,” Farrow said, when asked to comment on Lauer’s open letter in which he aggressively denied a rape allegation by the former NBC News employee last week. In Nevils’ response, she slammed the former newsman for “victim blaming,” stating, “the shame in this story belongs to him.”
At the Tuesday night event, Farrow said, “I think that while I’m a reporter and not an activist, and I’m not going to talk about personal feelings of Matt Lauer’s PR, and I’ll deal with the facts, I understand the rational basis for Brooke Nevils saying that this is a shameless and menacing tone.
- 10/16/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill, published on Tuesday, features another claim of sexual misconduct against Matt Lauer – one that he is also denying.
The woman, Melissa Lonner, was a producer for the Today show in 2010, when, she claims according to Farrow’s book, Lauer invited her to his office in 30 Rock following a work event and “unzipped his pants and exposed his erect penis.”
Today covered the allegation on Tuesday’s show.
According to Farrow, Lonner told multiple colleagues about the incident. She said that she tried to get away by cracking a joke but Lauer continued to proposition her and said that it would be “a first for you.” Then he became angry and said, “Melissa, you’re a f*cking tease. This is not good. You led me on.”
The next day, Lonner spoke to Ann Curry, then part of the Today team, and broke down and told her what happened.
The woman, Melissa Lonner, was a producer for the Today show in 2010, when, she claims according to Farrow’s book, Lauer invited her to his office in 30 Rock following a work event and “unzipped his pants and exposed his erect penis.”
Today covered the allegation on Tuesday’s show.
According to Farrow, Lonner told multiple colleagues about the incident. She said that she tried to get away by cracking a joke but Lauer continued to proposition her and said that it would be “a first for you.” Then he became angry and said, “Melissa, you’re a f*cking tease. This is not good. You led me on.”
The next day, Lonner spoke to Ann Curry, then part of the Today team, and broke down and told her what happened.
- 10/15/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The long-awaited publication of Ronan Farrow’s book “Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators” has unleashed a furor within NBC News.
“Catch and Kill,” set for release Oct. 15, portrays NBC News and its leaders as compromised while Farrow pursued the story of sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein — because of the division’s own history of misconduct claims and settlements.
The accusations against now-disgraced former “Today” anchor Matt Lauer were so potent that Weinstein sought to use them as leverage to pressure NBC News to kill Farrow’s investigation of him, according to “Catch and Kill.”
NBC News has vehemently denied many of Farrow’s assertions. The reporter parted ways with NBC News over the Weinstein story in mid-August 2017, when he relocated his reporting to The New Yorker, which published his first Weinstein exposé on Oct. 10, 2017.
On Oct. 14, NBC News president Noah Oppenheim issued a...
“Catch and Kill,” set for release Oct. 15, portrays NBC News and its leaders as compromised while Farrow pursued the story of sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein — because of the division’s own history of misconduct claims and settlements.
The accusations against now-disgraced former “Today” anchor Matt Lauer were so potent that Weinstein sought to use them as leverage to pressure NBC News to kill Farrow’s investigation of him, according to “Catch and Kill.”
NBC News has vehemently denied many of Farrow’s assertions. The reporter parted ways with NBC News over the Weinstein story in mid-August 2017, when he relocated his reporting to The New Yorker, which published his first Weinstein exposé on Oct. 10, 2017.
On Oct. 14, NBC News president Noah Oppenheim issued a...
- 10/15/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
NBC News President Noah Oppenheim is pushing back on Ronan Farrow’s claims that network executives knew about sexual misconduct allegations against Matt Lauer yet failed to act on them before he was terminated in November, 2017.
In a lengthy letter sent to staff on Monday, Oppenheim refuted Farrow’s claim that employees who reported on Lauer’s behavior before he was fired and then were paid settlements in which they had to remain silent.
“Not only is this false, the so-called evidence Farrow uses in his book to support the charge collapses under the slightest scrutiny,” Oppenheim wrote.
“We have no secrets and nothing to hide,” he wrote, “Now that we’ve read Farrow’s book, it’s clear — his smear rests on the allegation that NBC’s management knew about and took steps to hide Matt Lauer’s misconduct before his firing in November of 2017. Without that, he has...
In a lengthy letter sent to staff on Monday, Oppenheim refuted Farrow’s claim that employees who reported on Lauer’s behavior before he was fired and then were paid settlements in which they had to remain silent.
“Not only is this false, the so-called evidence Farrow uses in his book to support the charge collapses under the slightest scrutiny,” Oppenheim wrote.
“We have no secrets and nothing to hide,” he wrote, “Now that we’ve read Farrow’s book, it’s clear — his smear rests on the allegation that NBC’s management knew about and took steps to hide Matt Lauer’s misconduct before his firing in November of 2017. Without that, he has...
- 10/14/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
On Wednesday, Matt Lauer, 61, broke his silence about the latest rape allegations made against him by former NBC staffer and colleague Brooke Nevils, 35. In a lengthy letter Lauer stated, “I have never assaulted anyone or forced anyone to have sex. Period. My silence has been a mistake. Old stories are being recycled, titillating […]
The post Matt Lauer Denies Rape Allegation Made by Brooke Nevils, Ann Curry Defends Nevils appeared first on uInterview.
The post Matt Lauer Denies Rape Allegation Made by Brooke Nevils, Ann Curry Defends Nevils appeared first on uInterview.
- 10/11/2019
- by Ashley Johnson
- Uinterview
Ronan Farrow is standing by the claims made in his book Catch and Release, which includes former NBC employee Brooke Nevils' rape allegation against Matt Lauer, and says the information published was "extensively fact checked." The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist made his comments on ABC's Good Morning America on Friday, two days after the news made headlines and spurred a lengthy letter of denial of assault or unconsensual sex from the fired Today show co-host, who lost his job at NBC News in 2017 over alleged sexual misconduct.. "Obviously, in the book, we include his exact thinking without violating any ground rules," Farrow said. "We had very strict...
- 10/11/2019
- E! Online
Ronan Farrow on Friday said that “multiple” Matt Lauer accusers had signed non-disclosure agreements with NBC “years before” rape accuser Brooke Nevils came forward with the accusation that led to his firing two years ago.
During a sit-down on “Good Morning America” to promote his new book, “Catch and Kill,” Farrow questioned NBC News executives’ public statements that they were only aware of Lauer’s behavior when Nevils filed a complaint to NBC human resources in 2017 in the heat of the #MeToo movement — and that the longtime “Today” anchor was fired soon afterward.
“There were seven non-disclosure agreements, multiple ones of those were with Matt Lauer accusers. This is years before this incident with Brooke Nevils,” Farrow told “Gma” host George Stephanopoulos.
Also Read: Harvey Weinstein Denies Pressuring NBC Over Ronan Farrow Reporting With Matt Lauer Allegations
In a statement on Friday, a NBC News spokesperson denied that the network...
During a sit-down on “Good Morning America” to promote his new book, “Catch and Kill,” Farrow questioned NBC News executives’ public statements that they were only aware of Lauer’s behavior when Nevils filed a complaint to NBC human resources in 2017 in the heat of the #MeToo movement — and that the longtime “Today” anchor was fired soon afterward.
“There were seven non-disclosure agreements, multiple ones of those were with Matt Lauer accusers. This is years before this incident with Brooke Nevils,” Farrow told “Gma” host George Stephanopoulos.
Also Read: Harvey Weinstein Denies Pressuring NBC Over Ronan Farrow Reporting With Matt Lauer Allegations
In a statement on Friday, a NBC News spokesperson denied that the network...
- 10/11/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Ronan Farrow is standing by his reporting about NBC News in his new book, despite chairman Andy Lack’s insistence that Farrow’s account is “fundamentally untrue.”
During an appearance on Good Morning America on Friday to promote Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, Farrow maintained his claim that NBC News killed his bombshell 2017 article about Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual misconduct after the disgraced producer spooked the network with reports of Matt Lauer‘s own sexual misconduct allegations.
“Look, I’m confident in the reporting in the book. I’ll let it stand on its own,...
During an appearance on Good Morning America on Friday to promote Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, Farrow maintained his claim that NBC News killed his bombshell 2017 article about Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual misconduct after the disgraced producer spooked the network with reports of Matt Lauer‘s own sexual misconduct allegations.
“Look, I’m confident in the reporting in the book. I’ll let it stand on its own,...
- 10/11/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez, Helen Murphy
- PEOPLE.com
The blast radius surrounding Ronan Farrow’s upcoming book Catch and Kill continues to grow at NBC News, with division president Noah Oppenheim grilled by staffers Thursday in a town hall meeting over how allegations of misconduct by Matt Lauer were handled. Also today, a former production assistant who had a secret relationship with Lauer while both worked at Today called Lauer out for trying to “rewrite history.”
Following a day of revelations via excerpts from the book by Farrow, the onetime MSNBC host, ahead of its October 15 street date, Oppenheim was back in NBC News’ offices this morning to face his team a day after claims by ex-staffer Brooke Nevils that Lauer raped her at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 were made public for the first time.
Specifically, the room of 80 or so NBC staffers in person and on the phone at today’s 9 Am meeting wanted to know what NBC News brass knew,...
Following a day of revelations via excerpts from the book by Farrow, the onetime MSNBC host, ahead of its October 15 street date, Oppenheim was back in NBC News’ offices this morning to face his team a day after claims by ex-staffer Brooke Nevils that Lauer raped her at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 were made public for the first time.
Specifically, the room of 80 or so NBC staffers in person and on the phone at today’s 9 Am meeting wanted to know what NBC News brass knew,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Dominic Patten and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC News staffers confronted news chief Noah Oppenheim during a morning editorial staff meeting Thursday, one day after details about the rape accusation made by former employee Brooke Nevils that got “Today” anchor Matt Lauer fired in 2017 were made public. According to reports, staffers pointedly asked Oppenheim about how much he knew about the Nevils’ accusations.
An individual with knowledge of the situation confirmed to TheWrap that Oppenheim asked for questions and answered them for about half an hour.
The New York Post, citing sources familiar with the meeting, described the conversation between staffers and Oppenheim as “disastrous” and “heated,” before noting that a “network source” disagreed and instead described their exchange as “orderly.”
Also Read: NBC News Chief Calls Ex-Anchor Matt Lauer's Conduct 'Reprehensible'
According to The Post and The Daily Beast, staffers wanted to know if Nevils used the word “assault” when she reported the incident to human...
An individual with knowledge of the situation confirmed to TheWrap that Oppenheim asked for questions and answered them for about half an hour.
The New York Post, citing sources familiar with the meeting, described the conversation between staffers and Oppenheim as “disastrous” and “heated,” before noting that a “network source” disagreed and instead described their exchange as “orderly.”
Also Read: NBC News Chief Calls Ex-Anchor Matt Lauer's Conduct 'Reprehensible'
According to The Post and The Daily Beast, staffers wanted to know if Nevils used the word “assault” when she reported the incident to human...
- 10/10/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Addie Zinone, a former “Today” production assistant who previously came forward with her account of a secret relationship with Matt Lauer, has issued a statement in light of new allegations against Lauer and his comments about them.
Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill,” includes an interview with Brooke Nevils, a former NBC News employee, who alleges that Lauer raped her while they were both covering the 2014 Sochi Olympics. On Wednesday, Lauer issued a lengthy statement, denying that he assaulted Nevils and insisting that the encounter was consensual.
Lauer’s statement read, in part: “Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a very private person. I had no desire to write this, but I had no choice. The details I have written about here open deep wounds for my family. But they also lead to the truth. For two years, the women with whom I had extramarital relationships have abandoned shared responsibility,...
Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill,” includes an interview with Brooke Nevils, a former NBC News employee, who alleges that Lauer raped her while they were both covering the 2014 Sochi Olympics. On Wednesday, Lauer issued a lengthy statement, denying that he assaulted Nevils and insisting that the encounter was consensual.
Lauer’s statement read, in part: “Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a very private person. I had no desire to write this, but I had no choice. The details I have written about here open deep wounds for my family. But they also lead to the truth. For two years, the women with whom I had extramarital relationships have abandoned shared responsibility,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Brooke Nevils, the former NBC employee who accused fired Today show co-host Matt Lauer of raping her, says his statement of denial of her accusations constitutes "victim blaming." Her allegations are detailed in a new book, Catch and Kill, by journalist Ronan Farrow. She claims he forced her to have anal sex in a hotel room after a night of drinking in Sochi, Russia, where they covered 2014 Olympics. She said, "It was nonconsensual in the sense that I was too drunk to consent. It was nonconsensual in that I said, multiple times, that I didn't want to have anal sex." Lauer, who NBC News had fired in 2017 over alleged sexual misconduct, said in a lengthy statement on...
- 10/10/2019
- E! Online
Brooke Nevils, the former NBC employee who accused Matt Lauer of rape in Ronan Farrow’s new book “Catch and Kill,” has responded to Lauer’s denial of her claims, slamming the disgraced news anchor for victim blaming.
In a statement issued to Variety on Thursday morning through a spokesperson, Nevils says, “I knew what kind of person Matt Lauer was when I made the decision to report him to NBC in November 2017, and I knew what kind of a person he was when I made the decision to tell my story to Ronan Farrow. In both of those cases, I asked that my allegations be thoroughly investigated, and that Matt be given the opportunity to defend himself. I provided dates, times, evidence of communications, and corroborating accounts. Both NBC and Farrow found me credible.”
Nevils continues, “As his open letter clearly reveals, there may be more than one Matt Lauer.
In a statement issued to Variety on Thursday morning through a spokesperson, Nevils says, “I knew what kind of person Matt Lauer was when I made the decision to report him to NBC in November 2017, and I knew what kind of a person he was when I made the decision to tell my story to Ronan Farrow. In both of those cases, I asked that my allegations be thoroughly investigated, and that Matt be given the opportunity to defend himself. I provided dates, times, evidence of communications, and corroborating accounts. Both NBC and Farrow found me credible.”
Nevils continues, “As his open letter clearly reveals, there may be more than one Matt Lauer.
- 10/10/2019
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
The former NBC News staffer who accused Matt Lauer of rape has issued a response to his 1,400-word denial.
In Ronan Farrow’s new book, Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils — who in 2014 was in Sochi to assist Meredith Vieira as the former Today anchor contributed to Olympics coverage — details a hotel room encounter, following many drinks, during which she alleges Lauer forced anal sex upon her. Nevils went on to claim that once back in the States, she, out of fear for what the veteran newsman might do to her career if rebuffed, had sexual encounters with Lauer.
More from...
In Ronan Farrow’s new book, Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils — who in 2014 was in Sochi to assist Meredith Vieira as the former Today anchor contributed to Olympics coverage — details a hotel room encounter, following many drinks, during which she alleges Lauer forced anal sex upon her. Nevils went on to claim that once back in the States, she, out of fear for what the veteran newsman might do to her career if rebuffed, had sexual encounters with Lauer.
More from...
- 10/10/2019
- TVLine.com
Producer Brooke Nevils has responded to Matt Lauer’s open letter, calling it “a case study in victim shaming.”
Nevils’s response was given to NBC News tonight after Lauer earlier today issued a 1,400-word defense of his alleged conduct, detailed in the Ronan Farrow book, Catch and Kill. Excerpts have been released in advance of the book’s Oct. 15 publication date.
In the book, Nevils – then an NBC producer for Meredith Vieira- accuses Lauer of anal rape when they were both at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
“There’s a Matt Lauer that millions of Americans watched on TV every morning for two decades. And there is the Matt Lauer who this morning attempted to bully a former colleague into silence,’ the Nevil statement reads. “His open letter was a case study in victim blaming. I am not afraid of him now regardless of his threats, bullying, and the...
Nevils’s response was given to NBC News tonight after Lauer earlier today issued a 1,400-word defense of his alleged conduct, detailed in the Ronan Farrow book, Catch and Kill. Excerpts have been released in advance of the book’s Oct. 15 publication date.
In the book, Nevils – then an NBC producer for Meredith Vieira- accuses Lauer of anal rape when they were both at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
“There’s a Matt Lauer that millions of Americans watched on TV every morning for two decades. And there is the Matt Lauer who this morning attempted to bully a former colleague into silence,’ the Nevil statement reads. “His open letter was a case study in victim blaming. I am not afraid of him now regardless of his threats, bullying, and the...
- 10/10/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC is denying it tried to suppress Ronan Farrow‘s Harvey Weinstein investigation after the journalist and author claimed the disgraced producer used rumors about Matt Lauer to pressure the network into killing Farrow’s story.
In an internal memo to NBC staff obtained by People, NBC News Chairman Andy Lack shot down Farrow’s allegations, calling Farrow’s claims in his new book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators “fundamentally untrue.”
“As you know, our news organization is filled with dedicated, professional journalists, including some of the best and most experienced investigative reporters, as...
In an internal memo to NBC staff obtained by People, NBC News Chairman Andy Lack shot down Farrow’s allegations, calling Farrow’s claims in his new book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators “fundamentally untrue.”
“As you know, our news organization is filled with dedicated, professional journalists, including some of the best and most experienced investigative reporters, as...
- 10/10/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andy Lack sent a memo to staff Wednesday following the publication of details about the rape accusation made by former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils that got Matt Lauer fired in 2017.
In the memo, reviewed by TheWrap, Lack said, “First, and most importantly, in reading today’s news our hearts go out to our former colleague.”
He continued, addressing the details from Ronan Farrow’s forthcoming book, “Catch and Kill”:
“Matt Lauer’s conduct in 2014 was appalling and reprehensible — and of course we said so at the time. The first moment we learned of it was the night of November 27, 2017, and he was fired in 24 hours. Any suggestion that we knew prior to that evening or tried to cover up any aspect of Lauer’s conduct is absolutely false and offensive.”
Also Read: Jennifer Aniston Says 'The Morning Show' Isn't Based on...
In the memo, reviewed by TheWrap, Lack said, “First, and most importantly, in reading today’s news our hearts go out to our former colleague.”
He continued, addressing the details from Ronan Farrow’s forthcoming book, “Catch and Kill”:
“Matt Lauer’s conduct in 2014 was appalling and reprehensible — and of course we said so at the time. The first moment we learned of it was the night of November 27, 2017, and he was fired in 24 hours. Any suggestion that we knew prior to that evening or tried to cover up any aspect of Lauer’s conduct is absolutely false and offensive.”
Also Read: Jennifer Aniston Says 'The Morning Show' Isn't Based on...
- 10/9/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Ann Curry is speaking out about the accusations leveled against Matt Lauer. The former Today show host is standing by Lauer's accuser, Brooke Nevils, after Lauer contested the allegations made against him in an open letter. She writes on Twitter, "Brooke Nevils is a credible young woman of good character. She came to NBC News an eager and guileless 20-something, brimming with talent. I believe she is telling the truth. And that breaks my heart." Ann's tweet from today mirrors the same statement she made in January 2018. In what was her first interview since her shocking departure from the morning news show, the star said that she was "not surprised by the allegations"...
- 10/9/2019
- E! Online
Jennifer Aniston says her upcoming Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” — about a morning talk show host who is fired after a series of accusations surface — is not based on Matt Lauer’s experience with sexual misconduct accusations that led to him being ousted at NBC.
Steve Carell plays Mitch Kessler opposite Aniston as his “Morning Show” co-host Alex Levy, with Reese Witherspoon playing Bradley Jackson, the young reporter brought in to replace Kessler after he’s fired.
In an Oct. 7 interview with Howard Stern for his Sirius Xm radio show, Aniston addressed the similarities between the series’ plot and NBC’s 2017 dismissal of Lauer, longtime co-host of the “Today” show, after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
Also Read: Jennifer Aniston Met With Lorne Michaels About Joining 'SNL' Cast, But She Says It Was 'Too Much of a Boys' Club'
“It’s hard for me to believe when I...
Steve Carell plays Mitch Kessler opposite Aniston as his “Morning Show” co-host Alex Levy, with Reese Witherspoon playing Bradley Jackson, the young reporter brought in to replace Kessler after he’s fired.
In an Oct. 7 interview with Howard Stern for his Sirius Xm radio show, Aniston addressed the similarities between the series’ plot and NBC’s 2017 dismissal of Lauer, longtime co-host of the “Today” show, after he was accused of sexual misconduct.
Also Read: Jennifer Aniston Met With Lorne Michaels About Joining 'SNL' Cast, But She Says It Was 'Too Much of a Boys' Club'
“It’s hard for me to believe when I...
- 10/9/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Ann Curry is speaking out in defense of one of her former colleagues. The 62-year-old journalist took to Twitter on Wednesday to express her support for Brooke Nevils, who claims in Ronan Farrow’s upcoming book, Catch and Kill, that she was anally raped by Matt Lauer when they were both working for NBC at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Lauer has denied all allegations against...
- 10/9/2019
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Matt Lauer calls allegations in Ronan Farrow’s upcoming Catch and Kill book that he sexually assaulted an NBC colleague at the 2014 Sochi Olympics “false,” but the ex-MSNBC host says look at the source.
“The stories about and comments from the brave women who spoke out for the book will be enough to refute anything he has to say,” a representative for Farrow told Deadline today after the disgraced ex-Today co-host penned a long letter proclaiming his innocence.
As more claims about Lauer’s misconduct are unveiled in the lead-up to the October 15 release of Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, the frequently controversy defusing chair of NBC News penned some words of his own to staff about former long-time employee Lauer and the aborted probe of Harvey Weinstein In a clearly constructed campaign of repudiation, this follows Farrow’s published snipes at the...
“The stories about and comments from the brave women who spoke out for the book will be enough to refute anything he has to say,” a representative for Farrow told Deadline today after the disgraced ex-Today co-host penned a long letter proclaiming his innocence.
As more claims about Lauer’s misconduct are unveiled in the lead-up to the October 15 release of Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, the frequently controversy defusing chair of NBC News penned some words of his own to staff about former long-time employee Lauer and the aborted probe of Harvey Weinstein In a clearly constructed campaign of repudiation, this follows Farrow’s published snipes at the...
- 10/9/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC News and its leadership are painted in an extremely dark light in Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill.” The book about his Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on Harvey Weinstein’s history of alleged sexual assault details Farrow’s assertion that NBC News tried to kill his investigative report because it was compromised by a history of misconduct claims against its own executives and stars.
Farrow asserts there was a general reluctance to take on the explosive subject in part because of ties to Weinstein at NBC News and at NBCUniversal. NBC News maintains that Farrow had no Weinstein accusers on the record at the time in August 2017 when they parted ways on the story. Farrow asserts that NBC News first suggested that he try to find another editorial home for his story. NBC News maintains Farrow asked for the right to go to another publication.
Farrow makes a...
Farrow asserts there was a general reluctance to take on the explosive subject in part because of ties to Weinstein at NBC News and at NBCUniversal. NBC News maintains that Farrow had no Weinstein accusers on the record at the time in August 2017 when they parted ways on the story. Farrow asserts that NBC News first suggested that he try to find another editorial home for his story. NBC News maintains Farrow asked for the right to go to another publication.
Farrow makes a...
- 10/9/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Amid a publicly unveiled rape allegation against him, Matt Lauer has spoken up with his side of the story. Ahead of the release of Ronan Farrow's upcoming book, Catch and Kill, Variety obtained a copy of the book and reported on an allegation in it against the former Today co-anchor from Brooke Nevils. According to Variety, Nevils accused Lauer of anally raping her in his hotel room at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Per Variety, Nevils was in Sochi to work with Meredith Vieira, who was part of Today's Olympics coverage that year, and she and Nevils were allegedly at a hotel bar one night when they ran into Lauer and he joined them. According...
- 10/9/2019
- E! Online
Back in 2017, former Today Show anchor Matt Lauer was fired following sexual misconduct allegations from a show staffer. At the time, however, both the identity of his accuser and the nature of the allegations against him were not publicly revealed. Excerpts from the upcoming book Catch and Kill by journalist Ronan Farrow, however, reveals the identity of the staffer and sheds light on the allegations, claiming that Lauer was let go from NBC after she accused him of anally raping her in a hotel room.
In excerpts published by Variety on Tuesday,...
In excerpts published by Variety on Tuesday,...
- 10/9/2019
- by EJ Dickson
- Rollingstone.com
Today on Wednesday went into detail about the allegations against former co-anchor Matt Lauer, who stands accused of rape.
Lauer was famously let go by NBC in 2017 following reports of inappropriate behavior.
However, Ronan Farrow's new book Catch and Kill claims that Lauer raped NBC News worker Brooke Nevils when they were both in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics, according to Variety.
According to the new book, Nevils turned to human resources in the aftermath, but she was told that her allegations were not "criminal" or "assault."
Nevils said that her "work life became torture" and that she ultimately took medical leave and a payment in the "seven figures."
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment,” Savannah Guthrie said during this morning’s episode of Today.
“This is shocking and appalling, and I honestly don’t even know what to say about it.
Lauer was famously let go by NBC in 2017 following reports of inappropriate behavior.
However, Ronan Farrow's new book Catch and Kill claims that Lauer raped NBC News worker Brooke Nevils when they were both in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics, according to Variety.
According to the new book, Nevils turned to human resources in the aftermath, but she was told that her allegations were not "criminal" or "assault."
Nevils said that her "work life became torture" and that she ultimately took medical leave and a payment in the "seven figures."
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment,” Savannah Guthrie said during this morning’s episode of Today.
“This is shocking and appalling, and I honestly don’t even know what to say about it.
- 10/9/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Matt Lauer is denying the explosive allegations that he raped a coworker in 2014 as “categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense.”
The rape accusation, made by former NBC co-worker Brooke Nevils and detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, is “filled with false details” Lauer said in an open letter obtained by Deadline.
The former Today show host concedes in his statement that he had an extramarital affair with Nevils and that they “performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual.”
In the statement, Lauer explains his reluctance to publicly address the many accusations made against him in recent years, and says he’s now ready to confront at least these charges. Among the aspects of Nevils’ account with which Lauer takes issue is Nevils’ suggestion that he held professional power...
The rape accusation, made by former NBC co-worker Brooke Nevils and detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, is “filled with false details” Lauer said in an open letter obtained by Deadline.
The former Today show host concedes in his statement that he had an extramarital affair with Nevils and that they “performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual.”
In the statement, Lauer explains his reluctance to publicly address the many accusations made against him in recent years, and says he’s now ready to confront at least these charges. Among the aspects of Nevils’ account with which Lauer takes issue is Nevils’ suggestion that he held professional power...
- 10/9/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Matt Lauer Says Rape Allegation Is 'Categorically False,' Details His Consensual Affair With Accuser
Matt Lauer has vehemently disputed the rape allegation made by a woman who was in Sochi with him at the time of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In Ronan Farrow’s new book, Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils — who was in Sochi to assist Meredith Vieira as the former Today anchor contributed to Olympics coverage — details a hotel room encounter, following many drinks, during which she alleges Lauer forced anal sex upon her. Nevils went on to claim that once back in the States, she, out of fear for what the veteran newsman might do to her career if rebuffed, had sexual encounters with Lauer.
In Ronan Farrow’s new book, Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils — who was in Sochi to assist Meredith Vieira as the former Today anchor contributed to Olympics coverage — details a hotel room encounter, following many drinks, during which she alleges Lauer forced anal sex upon her. Nevils went on to claim that once back in the States, she, out of fear for what the veteran newsman might do to her career if rebuffed, had sexual encounters with Lauer.
- 10/9/2019
- TVLine.com
Former “Today” host Matt Lauer responded to an accusation of rape against with a statement on Wednesday saying that the affair in question was consensual.
In a letter to Variety via his lawyer, Lauer denied that he raped former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils in his hotel room during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, as was detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book “Catch and Kill.”
“In a new book, it is alleged that an extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter I have previously admitted having, was in fact an assault. It is categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense,” Lauer said.
Also Read: 'Today' Hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb Respond to Matt Lauer Rape Accusation: 'We Support Her'
He continued, “I had an extramarital affair with Brooke Nevils in 2014. It began when she came to my hotel room very late one night in Sochi, Russia. We engaged in a variety of sexual acts.
In a letter to Variety via his lawyer, Lauer denied that he raped former NBC News employee Brooke Nevils in his hotel room during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, as was detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book “Catch and Kill.”
“In a new book, it is alleged that an extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter I have previously admitted having, was in fact an assault. It is categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense,” Lauer said.
Also Read: 'Today' Hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb Respond to Matt Lauer Rape Accusation: 'We Support Her'
He continued, “I had an extramarital affair with Brooke Nevils in 2014. It began when she came to my hotel room very late one night in Sochi, Russia. We engaged in a variety of sexual acts.
- 10/9/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Matt Lauer penned a letter on Wednesday morning, staunchly denying former NBC News co-worker Brooke Nevils’ allegations that he raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Lauer says the accusation — as detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill” — is “categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense,” calling the encounter with Nevils an “extramarital affair.” He dismisses the claims as “part of a promotional effort to sell a book.”
In the book, obtained by Variety, Nevils said Lauer anally raped her one night in Sochi, Russia. Lauer calls the act “consensual.” “We performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual,” he writes. Lauer claims the encounter marked the beginning of an affair that continued when they returned to New York.
Nevils doesn’t deny that they had additional sexual encounters,...
Lauer says the accusation — as detailed in Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill” — is “categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense,” calling the encounter with Nevils an “extramarital affair.” He dismisses the claims as “part of a promotional effort to sell a book.”
In the book, obtained by Variety, Nevils said Lauer anally raped her one night in Sochi, Russia. Lauer calls the act “consensual.” “We performed oral sex on each other, we had vaginal sex, and we had anal sex. Each act was mutual and completely consensual,” he writes. Lauer claims the encounter marked the beginning of an affair that continued when they returned to New York.
Nevils doesn’t deny that they had additional sexual encounters,...
- 10/9/2019
- by Maane Khatchatourian
- Variety Film + TV
“Today” hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb called sexual assault allegations against their former colleague Matt Lauer “shocking and appalling” during the show’s Wednesday morning broadcast.
On Tuesday, news broke that Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill,” includes an interview with Brooke Nevils, a former NBC News employee whose complaint about Lauer led to the co-anchor’s firing from the “Today” show in 2017. Nevils now alleges that Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
“They are not allegations of an affair,” Kotb told viewers. “They are allegations of a crime.”
Guthrie expressed her concern for Nevils, adding, “We support her and any women who come forward with claims. And it is just very painful. For all of us at NBC who are at the ‘Today’ show, it is very, very difficult.”
In a separate statement, NBC News said, “Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling,...
On Tuesday, news broke that Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill,” includes an interview with Brooke Nevils, a former NBC News employee whose complaint about Lauer led to the co-anchor’s firing from the “Today” show in 2017. Nevils now alleges that Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
“They are not allegations of an affair,” Kotb told viewers. “They are allegations of a crime.”
Guthrie expressed her concern for Nevils, adding, “We support her and any women who come forward with claims. And it is just very painful. For all of us at NBC who are at the ‘Today’ show, it is very, very difficult.”
In a separate statement, NBC News said, “Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling,...
- 10/9/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
[Update: Since publishing the below story, Matt Lauer has issued a lengthy response denying the accusations. You can read his full response at Variety.]
When former NBC anchor Matt Lauer was fired from the network and his gig on “Today” in November 2017, a widely circulated memo from NBC brass owed the sacking to alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior” that had been reported by another NBC employee mere hours before. In the days that followed, more details were revealed about Lauer’s alleged misdeeds, running the gamut from gifting sex toys to colleagues to exposing himself to another staffer.
Yet the original complaint, which alleged that Lauer behaved inappropriately towards towards a fellow NBC employee in a sexual manner for several months, starting at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, remained mostly vague in the weeks that followed.
Ronan Farrow’s upcoming book “Catch and Kill,” which mostly focuses on his investigation of Harvey Weinstein, also includes new details about Lauer’s alleged misconduct,...
When former NBC anchor Matt Lauer was fired from the network and his gig on “Today” in November 2017, a widely circulated memo from NBC brass owed the sacking to alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior” that had been reported by another NBC employee mere hours before. In the days that followed, more details were revealed about Lauer’s alleged misdeeds, running the gamut from gifting sex toys to colleagues to exposing himself to another staffer.
Yet the original complaint, which alleged that Lauer behaved inappropriately towards towards a fellow NBC employee in a sexual manner for several months, starting at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, remained mostly vague in the weeks that followed.
Ronan Farrow’s upcoming book “Catch and Kill,” which mostly focuses on his investigation of Harvey Weinstein, also includes new details about Lauer’s alleged misconduct,...
- 10/9/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb addressed the latest allegations against their former Today colleague Matt Lauer, with Guthrie calling them “shocking and appalling” and Kotb telling viewers, “We don’t know the facts in all of this, but they are not allegations of an affair. They are allegations of a crime.”
Deadline sister publication Variety reported on Tuesday night that in Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils, the former NBC News employee whose complaint about Lauer led to his termination from the show two years ago, alleges that Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room as they were on assignment at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment,” Guthrie said on Wednesday morning. “This is shocking and appalling, and I honestly don’t even know what to say about it. I...
Deadline sister publication Variety reported on Tuesday night that in Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, Brooke Nevils, the former NBC News employee whose complaint about Lauer led to his termination from the show two years ago, alleges that Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room as they were on assignment at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment,” Guthrie said on Wednesday morning. “This is shocking and appalling, and I honestly don’t even know what to say about it. I...
- 10/9/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Not long after news broke that Ronan Farrow’s yet-unreleased book contains a new accusation of rape against Matt Lauer, his former “Today” colleagues spoke out in support of the former NBC News employee, Brooke Nevils, whose report of then-unspecified sexual misconduct led to Lauer’s firing two years ago.
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment. This is shocking and appalling and I don’t even know what to say about it,” said “Today” host Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday’s broadcast joined by Hoda Kotb.
“I want to say that we know it wasn’t easy for our colleague Brooke to come forward then. It’s not easy now and we support her and any women who have come forward with claims,” Guthrie said. “We are disgusted to our core.”
Also Read: Matt Lauer's Wife, Annette Roque, Files for Divorce
In a statement to TheWrap,...
“I feel like we owe it to our viewers to pause for a moment. This is shocking and appalling and I don’t even know what to say about it,” said “Today” host Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday’s broadcast joined by Hoda Kotb.
“I want to say that we know it wasn’t easy for our colleague Brooke to come forward then. It’s not easy now and we support her and any women who have come forward with claims,” Guthrie said. “We are disgusted to our core.”
Also Read: Matt Lauer's Wife, Annette Roque, Files for Divorce
In a statement to TheWrap,...
- 10/9/2019
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Today on Wednesday addressed detailed allegations leveled against disgraced former co-anchor Matt Lauer, who now stands accused of rape.
Lauer, who was famously and abruptly fired by NBC in November 2017 following claims of inappropriate sexual behavior, is now alleged to have anally raped former NBC News staffer Brooke Nevils when they were both in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics. (Lauer has issued a statement denying the allegation.) According to Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, Nevils eventually took her allegations to human resources, but they were characterized as being neither “criminal” nor “assault.” Soon after, her “work life became torture.
Lauer, who was famously and abruptly fired by NBC in November 2017 following claims of inappropriate sexual behavior, is now alleged to have anally raped former NBC News staffer Brooke Nevils when they were both in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics. (Lauer has issued a statement denying the allegation.) According to Ronan Farrow’s new book Catch and Kill, Nevils eventually took her allegations to human resources, but they were characterized as being neither “criminal” nor “assault.” Soon after, her “work life became torture.
- 10/9/2019
- TVLine.com
In Ronan Farrow’s book about his Harvey Weinstein investigation, a former NBC News employee alleges that then-Today co-anchor Matt Lauer anally raped her when they were both in Sochi covering the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Lauer (who is denying the rape accusation) was famously and abruptly fired by NBC in November 2017, in the wake of allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior exhibited throughout 2014. “While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident,” NBC News chairman Andrew Lack said at the time.
Lauer (who is denying the rape accusation) was famously and abruptly fired by NBC in November 2017, in the wake of allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior exhibited throughout 2014. “While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident,” NBC News chairman Andrew Lack said at the time.
- 10/9/2019
- TVLine.com
Ronan Farrow’s new book “Catch and Kill” recounts his investigation of Harvey Weinstein; the hurdles his then-employer NBC News put in his way that caused him to publish the story in the New Yorker instead; and how Weinstein hired Black Cube, an investigative firm that employs ex-Mossad officers, to stop him.
But Farrow’s most explosive interview in the book is with Brooke Nevils, the former NBC News employee whose complaint about Matt Lauer led to the co-anchor’s firing from the “Today” show in 2017.
At the time, NBC News kept Nevils’ identity anonymous from press reports at her request. The full details of her allegations have not been made public until now.
In the book, obtained by Variety, Nevils alleges that at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room.
“Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling, horrific and reprehensible, as we said at the time,...
But Farrow’s most explosive interview in the book is with Brooke Nevils, the former NBC News employee whose complaint about Matt Lauer led to the co-anchor’s firing from the “Today” show in 2017.
At the time, NBC News kept Nevils’ identity anonymous from press reports at her request. The full details of her allegations have not been made public until now.
In the book, obtained by Variety, Nevils alleges that at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Lauer anally raped her in his hotel room.
“Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling, horrific and reprehensible, as we said at the time,...
- 10/9/2019
- by Kate Aurthur and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
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